§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many ministerial announcements have not been made in the first instance to the House; and of those how many were(a) speeches to outside bodies, (b) press releases, (c) press briefings and (d) made by other means, since 1 May; and if he will make a statement about his Department's policy in respect of making public ministerial announcements. [18891]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 3 December 1997]My Department aims, where it is appropriate and Parliament is sitting, to make all major policy announcements in the House.
We endeavour to make all announcements in the most effective way. This may involve using a combination of communication vehicles.
Since 1 May the Department has issued 527 news releases, including those which relate to speeches and other announcements. Copies are placed in the library of both Houses and are available on the POLIS information system, as well as on the Department's Internet website.